The other main thing I should emphasize is that the gameplay works better in multiplayer than it does in the single player campaign. That's not to say that the campaign is bad... it's just not quite as fun with the way the gameplay is set up. You'll do the same things that you would in multiplayer and skirmish, but the AI will be much less aggressive as a whole when taking and holding capture points. I've found that if left alone, the enemy AI will attempt to begin new bases in odd areas, but that happened pretty seldom. The result is a fun campaign that isn't a huge challenge if you're patient about your progress since objectives don't push you to capture new points quickly.

I'm convinced that the real fun is in the skirmish and multiplayer. Depending on how you set the AI, skirmish can be quite the challenge. In fact, it can be downright impossible. Because of all of the little clicks that need to happen in squads to keep them manned and armed (you can add more members to a squad up to a certain number and arm them with bigger weapons), it can be a little overwhelming unless you're a "clicks per minute" type of guy. The computer obviously has a big advantage in managing all of the units at the same time and keeping them powered all the way up. Memorizing and using hotkeys is definitely going to make things easier and will probably be mandatory if you want to play against any good players online or against AI higher than easy.

Several different victory conditions can be used in each game to mix up how players will interact with the map and each other. One of my favorites is simply capture and hold, which means players have to capture a certain amount of critical locations on the map and hold them for six minutes in order to win. The catch is that the point that has to be defended can't be fortified with weapon emplacements like the other points of contention can. Several other modes are included that focus on the same kind of fast paced gameplay that forces players into the field rather than allowing them to sit and defend an area while other opponents slug it out.

Adding to the replay value are different races that have varied playing styles while remaining well-balanced. The ideas behind reinforcing and arming squads remain the same through many of the unit types, but the way you use them is completely different. Orks, for example, are much less powerful on a whole than the other races, but have a much, much higher unit cap using the Zerg swarm mentality. The Eldar, on the other hand, are a much more difficult race to master. Each of their squads can actually be upgraded into a different type of squad that has a very singular use while Space Marines have units and vehicles that have multiple uses for almost every situation. It'll be interesting to see how players end up adapting each of the races to their style of play.

The Verdict

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War is the first game in a long, long time that has even come close to doing the franchise justice. The fact that it hits the nail on the head isn't necessarily surprising; it's just been such a long wait that it's almost emotional. Everything from the drab and blasted landscapes to the perfectly realized models and varied animations make a perfect host for this ultra-violent future to inhabit.

Nothing about the gameplay will really surprise anyone (though the addition of reinforceable squads is pretty neat) but it doesn't particularly matter. The factions are balanced very well, the battles are entertaining enough to make excitable gamers pee their pants, and the pace keeps players attention stuck to the screen at all times. Relic kicked ass creating a great piece of entertainment.

8SoundMusic is hit and miss. Voice overs for main characters are mostly average to bad. Unit acknowledgements are pretty good. Sound effect are great.

8.5GameplayIt doesn't do anything super special or new, but it does everything it does with style and considerable polish. I do wish the campaign had been a tad bit bigger and the story a bit stronger.

9Lasting AppealThe four races are varied enough to keep players trying new things. Skirmish and multiplayer will be the home to many beautiful and bloody battles.